Sorimachi, Ishihara join “Zatoichi” cast

The newest and supposedly final Zatoichi film, appropriately titled “Zatoichi The Last,” had its main cast revealed earlier this week. When the film was first announced in March, it was known that SMAP’s Shingo Katori would star as Zatoichi, but it was not yet public that Takashi Sorimachi and Satomi Ishihara are part of the supporting cast.

Sorimachi will be playing a key role as a close friend of the blind swordsman, while Ishihara takes on the part of Zatoichi’s wife. Other cast members include Chieko Baisho, Youki Kudoh, Koichi Iwaki, Yoshio Harada, Kanzaburo Nakamura, and child actor Seishiro Kato.

Directed by Junji Sakamoto, “Zatoichi The Last” is planned for a 2010 release.